Days passed, and rumors about Tang Xiu's unexpected strength continued to swirl around the school. Students whispered about his ability to take down Zhang Wei and his lackeys, and even the teachers seemed to treat him with newfound respect, though they didn't dare show it openly.
But Tang Xiu paid little attention to the gossip. His focus remained on his cultivation and the task at hand: reclaiming his strength and preparing for the challenges ahead.
It was a regular afternoon when Tang Xiu was called to the school's administration office. As he walked down the hallway, he noticed the curious glances of his classmates. The principal's office was located at the end of the hall, and he could feel the tension in the air.
Upon entering, he was greeted by Principal Zhou, a middle-aged man with graying hair and a sharp gaze. The man motioned for him to sit, and Tang Xiu complied without a word.
"You've caused quite a stir, Tang Xiu," Principal Zhou said, his voice carefully neutral. "Zhang Wei and his crew are laying low after their… incident with you. But it seems there's more to your abilities than we initially thought."
Tang Xiu raised an eyebrow but said nothing.
The principal continued. "There's an upcoming martial arts tournament for students, and I believe you might be interested in participating."
Tang Xiu's expression didn't change. "Why me?"
The principal leaned forward slightly. "You've caught the attention of some important figures. They believe you might have potential—more than the average student. Winning the tournament could open doors for you."
Tang Xiu frowned slightly. He didn't care much for school competitions, but he knew that participating could give him valuable experience and connections. The martial arts world on Earth might be limited, but the opportunity to observe and learn from other students could be useful in the long run.
"I'm interested," Tang Xiu replied.
The principal smiled. "Good. The tournament is a week away. Prepare yourself."
The day of the tournament arrived quickly, and the school gymnasium was packed with students, teachers, and even a few local martial arts masters who had come to watch. The event was a huge deal for the school, and the atmosphere was charged with excitement.
Tang Xiu stood quietly at the back, observing the other participants. They were strong, some possessing real martial arts skills, but none of them radiated the same power he felt within himself.
Among the crowd, Tang Xiu spotted a familiar face—Chu Yunxi. She was talking to a group of students near the front, her expression serious as she discussed the tournament's stakes.
"Is she here to compete too?" Tang Xiu wondered, his eyes narrowing slightly.
The tournament began with a series of one-on-one matches, the winners advancing through the brackets. Tang Xiu didn't have to wait long for his first match.
"Up next, Tang Xiu versus Liu Jinhai!" the announcer called.
Tang Xiu's opponent was a tall, muscular boy with an arrogant grin. Liu Jinhai cracked his knuckles as he stepped into the arena.
"Looks like we're up, huh?" Liu Jinhai said with a sneer. "You should just forfeit now, Tang Xiu. You're out of your league here."
Tang Xiu said nothing. He simply took his stance, waiting for the match to begin.
The bell rang, and Liu Jinhai charged at Tang Xiu with surprising speed. He swung a wide, brutal punch aimed at Tang Xiu's head, but the strike was too slow. Tang Xiu sidestepped effortlessly, his movements fluid and precise.
"Is that all you've got?" Tang Xiu asked coolly, his voice low but clearly audible to the spectators.
Liu Jinhai's face turned red with anger. He launched a flurry of attacks, each one faster and stronger than the last. But Tang Xiu dodged, ducked, and evaded every strike with ease, his body moving like a shadow.
The crowd gasped.
"No way!" someone whispered. "He's so fast!"
Liu Jinhai began to slow down, his energy flagging. He was becoming frustrated. With a roar, he tried a wild spinning kick, but Tang Xiu was already gone, his feet barely touching the ground as he moved behind Liu Jinhai.
With a swift motion, Tang Xiu grabbed the back of Liu Jinhai's shirt and flipped him onto the mat with a single movement. The audience went silent as Liu Jinhai lay there, groaning in pain.
"Winner: Tang Xiu!" the announcer declared.
Tang Xiu stood up, his expression unchanged. He glanced around at the shocked faces in the audience, then turned to leave the arena.
As Tang Xiu advanced through the tournament, his reputation continued to grow. Each opponent he faced was more skilled than the last, but they all fell before him with ease. The spectators began to murmur in awe.
"He's unstoppable…"
"Where did he learn this?"
"Is he even human?"
Tang Xiu didn't care about the rumors. For him, this tournament was just a stepping stone on the path to regaining his full strength. But he couldn't ignore the increasing attention—especially from the martial arts masters in the audience.
One man, in particular, stood out. A tall figure with a refined aura, he watched Tang Xiu's matches with great interest. He was an older man, dressed in a simple but elegant outfit, and his eyes were sharp, calculating.
Tang Xiu could feel the man's gaze lingering on him, but he didn't react. This was a man who understood martial arts at a deeper level—someone who could be a potential ally or a dangerous adversary.
After winning several rounds, Tang Xiu found himself facing the final opponent—Zhang Wei. The crowd's excitement reached a peak as the two walked into the arena.
Zhang Wei's family had pulled some strings, ensuring that he made it to the final round despite his previous defeat. He was clearly seething with rage, his face contorted into a scowl as he glared at Tang Xiu.
"I won't lose this time, Tang Xiu!" Zhang Wei shouted, his voice thick with anger. "You're nothing but a bug, and I'll crush you under my heel!"
Tang Xiu's eyes glimmered with cold amusement. "You've had enough chances, Zhang Wei. This will be your last."
The final match began. Zhang Wei attacked first, but his movements were erratic, fueled by frustration rather than strategy. Tang Xiu dodged each attack with ease, his expression serene.
Then, in a flash, Tang Xiu struck. His hand shot out like a viper's bite, landing directly on Zhang Wei's chest. The force was enough to knock the wind out of him, sending him crashing to the ground.
The crowd went silent as Zhang Wei struggled to stand, his face pale and filled with disbelief.
"Winner: Tang Xiu!" the announcer called.
Tang Xiu stood tall in the center of the arena, his eyes cold and unmoving.
After the tournament, Tang Xiu's victory was the talk of the school. He had not only defeated every opponent but had done so with an ease that left people in awe. The martial arts masters who had been observing approached him with interest, but he knew better than to trust them too quickly.
For now, Tang Xiu had earned respect—but the real challenges were still ahead. The martial arts clans, Zhang Wei's family, and the hidden forces in the world were only beginning to notice his rise.
He had made his mark, but the path to reclaiming his place in the Immortal World was far from over.
Would you like to explore more of the martial arts world, Tang Xiu's cultivation, or perhaps the introduction of new characters and challenges in his journey